New courts give racquetball in Regina a boost

Racquetball in Regina has received a boost in the form of four state-of-the-art courts, including Canada’s first all-glass court.

“Playing on it is definitely interesting,” said Christine Richardson, a Regina-born member of the Canadian racquetball team that competed in and won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto last summer.

“Having the black ball, I lose it very often in the glass. It definitely throws a different play into the game. I find myself needing to focus so much more and concentrate on where the ball is.”

Richardson has a close connection to the courts, as they were used at the Pan American Games and, through the Pan American Games Legacy Project, were then donated to help grow the sport in her hometown.

Darrell Davis and a group of racquetball enthusiasts helped to bring the courts to Regina. He noted that there has been a decline in racquetball in Regina and the rest of Canada because having courts isn’t necessarily financially viable. They take up a lot of space, but only two or four players can play at one time.

Davis said that 20 years ago, there were around two dozen courts in the city, but prior to the city receiving the new courts, there were only three. Even the 26-year-old Richardson has noticed the drop in availability of courts since she was in high school.

To help revitalize the sport, Davis appealed to gyms, community centres and the City of Regina to get more courts in the city. The group caught a glimmer of light when the Pan Am Games ended. Temporary courts were set up for the Games in Toronto and the legacy committee allowed bids for the courts following the end of the games. The group in Regina put in a bid and ended up getting chosen over Charlotte, N.C., and London, Ont.

The legacy committee delivered the courts and set them up free of charge. In total, Davis estimated the value of the courts is around $1 million.

“Obviously we are appreciative of it and it’s something we are working very hard to make sure (we) show everybody that it was the right spot to put it,” he said.

The courts were set up at the Orr Centre in September, and since then Davis has been working to get league play, junior programs and tournaments going. The courts are also used for wallyball and handball.

In November, the Orr Centre played host to the Saskatchewan Open, which featured players from this province as well as Alberta, Manitoba and North Dakota. Davis hopes to have a professional tour play on their courts and eventually host a national tournament as well.

Richardson, who is home on a break from classes at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, said players will benefit greatly from using the new courts because they are the courts that they will have to play on if they advance to national programs.

“To give players that little bit of an edge to practice on it and play on it will definitely help in the long run,” she said.

As for Davis, he sees other intangibles in the sport, such as the social aspect, that are helping the sport flourish once again.

“What’s better about any sport than the fact you can have a workout, then stop and have a chat and a visit and a beverage with someone who is a good friend?” he said.

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